What...is this?
Everything feels…so calm. A since of serenity wraps not only my mind, but my body as well. I’ve never felt this kind of feeling before. Only dreams come close to this ever-enveloping sense of nothingness. I barely even noticed myself lying on the concrete pavement. Normally, it would feel rough and coarse, but somehow it feels as if nothing is there. I’m in some state of constant duality that can’t be coherently explained, yet everything makes sense. There isn’t a grain of dust in this universe that isn’t where it’s supposed to be. What is this? Is this a state between understanding and ignorance? Or some liminal space outside of time? Is this…
“Death.”
I finally open my eyes to the distant yet ever so mentally intrusive voice that seems to know exactly what I’m thinking. Yet, my vision is only greeted by an extremely faded sky. It looked as if a heavy mist was trying to engulf the world, but never quite completed that task.
“Didn’t mean to scare you there, you can sit up though” the voice says. “Everything will be okay.”
“What…?” I raised myself calmly, still sitting on the ground. It said it didn’t mean to startle me, but I never felt a sense of fear when it spoke. Relief would be a better answer. “Wait… who are you? Where are you?”
“I’m behind you.”
I turn to be met by a tall, pale white, ghostly figure. It showed no clear indication of whether or not it was male, female, or anything in-between. Physically, it stood poised but indifferent towards me. Fragments of mist pour off its body all around, but more so on the top of the head. I don’t feel threatened but remained cautious.
“No need to remain cautious.” It says rather bluntly.
“C-…can you read my mind?”
“Something like that.”
“…Who are you?”
The figure tilts their head out of confusion, or curiosity. “I go by a lot of different names” it finally says. “Death is a title most living things would call me, but I always felt that was a bit more dramatic than anything.”
“…Death? You’re Death?”
It shrugs again. “Yeah, I’m Death.”
This couldn’t be right. I’ve met plenty of other beings while being under contract to Mr. Plague, but to meet the actual embodiment of death is beyond outrageous. I’ve only heard tales of a physical embodiment of Death roaming around but I never thought of it to be true. Although Samantha and I have seen so many ridiculous characters in the past, it wouldn’t be a stretch if everything it says is true. But I wonder, why now? Why is Death meeting me now?
“I’m here because you’re dead.” It says matter-of-factly, pointing towards a lifeless body by the front door ahead of me. The scene was horrific. No amount of precision or coherency was utilized by whoever the assailant was. The head was completely mashed into globs of mush and fragmented skull. The overwhelming amount of blood trickled down the concrete pavement towards my feet. Normally, a grizzly scene like this would make me gag out of instinct, but I stayed firm and detached. Even the scent of the busted corpse became absent to me. After taking everything in, I realized what I was looking at. It was me. My body lay beaten and lifeless. For a second, I couldn’t believe it. Although the more I stared at the corpse, the more sense of clarity came over me. I immediately thought of the girl I was trying to save and could only hope for her survival. I wouldn’t wish this type of situation on my worst enemy.
“Wow, you are a thoughtful person” it says.
I switched my focus back to Death. “So…I really am dead?” Those words left my mouth broken and confused just as much as you could imagine. I never imagined my life could end like this. Well…not until I met Mr. Plague.
“Yes, you’re undoubtedly dead now. But doesn’t it feel great?”
“Huh? What part about being dead is great?”
“It's great, because everything ends. There’s nothing past this point worth thinking about anymore. That doesn’t sound amazing to you?”
“You might have a different way of thinking when it comes to what’s pleasant and what isn’t. I won’t be able to see my family anymore. Who’s going to watch after my little brother? Who’s going to take care of my parents now? Will Donovan and Sam be alright? Who’s going to stop-”
“Mr. Plague?”
“…Yeah.”
“I don’t know, and at this point it doesn’t matter. This is where your story ends, and there’s only one thing that matters at this very moment...how was it?”
“How was what…?”
“Life.”
It was an innocent question in all honesty. No ulterior motive or malicious intent behind his words. Just pure curiosity about how I feel. I took a second to look far back as my life flashed before my eyes. I remembered everything so clearly. The time I wet the bed at a friend’s sleepover. Being rejected by a childhood crush for prom. Getting into that hectic bar fight with my brother and a biker gang over billiards. Even stepping foot into that horrid cabin for the first time and signing my life away to someone far more powerful than he lets on. Every fabric of memories swayed from amazing moments to great laughter, melancholic break ups, bittersweet achievements, and traumatic outcomes I never wish anyone would experience. But I guess that’s what makes life so beautiful. Although, I do have one question for this being that calls itself Death.
“My life…was good. I had a good one, but I do have a question for you. What happens next?” I asked shakingly.
“That, I do not know.”
“But aren’t you the embodiment of death. Shouldn't you know?"
It contemplated slightly, and then spoke. “You know, I have idea of what it might be, but even then, I’m not so sure. I don’t think I’ll ever get the experience of it, but my prodigies will."
“You prodigies?”
“Yes, the many of them. Mr. Plague falls into that category. The same goes for Void, Nightmare, the vampires, The Crimson Circle, The interrogator, The conductor, Mrs. Blight, Anarchy, -”. He goes on forever, it seemed. If one has brought me back to complete dread, it was his reminder of the many beings that caused such horrible misery for us. My head sinks a bit, and I couldn’t bring myself to hold my composure. Eyes began to strain and blur, as I never got the chance to tell Dayna how much I love her. “- and oh yeah, The Stranger. He always gives me problems...wait, are you crying? Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“No, no...no, no. I’m ok. I just had some thoughts. I’m okay.”
“Hmm...well, you ready?”
“Ready...for what?
“To go.”
“...Y-yeah. I guess, I am... I guess I am ready to go.”
“Great, tell me more about your time. How was it really? I’m dying to know!” I stood up and we walked towards the hyper dense fog ahead of us. Time seemed so slow, yet on the verge of ending too soon. I felt at ease as death walked besides me. I felt at east to know I could tell my story one more time.
Then nothing
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